It's National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week!

From the AnimalSheltering.org, a program of the Humane Society of the United States:

In 1996, The HSUS launched National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (based on an idea from the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Nebraska). This campaign was designed to acknowledge and promote the invaluable role shelters play in their communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues and shelter services.

During National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, the first full week of every November, The HSUS promotes and celebrates animal shelters across the country through media and public outreach.

You can find materials here to help you celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week in your community. The materials also can be customized to promote the important role of shelters any time of the year.

• Download the Event Planning Guide for event ideas, sample press releases, and other outreach documents.
• See our tips for making the most of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.
• Coming Soon: See Patrick McDonnell's special National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week Shelter Stories strips here beginning November 3!
• Get our list of the ways people can support their local shelters and pass it on to the public.
• Take a look back at how we celebrated National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week 2006 and National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week 2005.
• Read articles on what other organizations have done to celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.
• Visit humanesociety.org/sheltersrock for updates on how entertainers and the public are celebrating shelters.
• Sign up to receive The Scoop, our monthly e-newsletter, so you'll get e-mails about what we're planning for National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week in the future as well as other helpful updates.

Since I'm a shelter dog, rescued by the Southside Animal Shelter here in Indianapolis, I thought that this week I would show my appreciation to my shelter by taking a few toys, and other needed items to them.

Here are a few things you can do to thank and show your appreciation to your shelter, or a shelter near you:

• Gather up some supplies, like cleaners, newspapers, old towels, blankets, dog shampoo, pet toys, treats, and other items. Then take them down to donate to your local shelter/rescue. They always need items to help them care for the animals.
• Give of your time to help shelter pets feel more comfortable during their stay - go and walk the pups and pet the kitties. They will love you for it.
• Send a card or letter and tell the shelter workers and volunteers that you appreciate all the hard work they do.
• Donate funds to help the shelter continue their good work.
• Find your next pet and adopt from your local shelter or rescue. Great pups, kitties and other animals come from shelters - just ask me, or my kittie brother Wiggy!
• Consider being a foster parent for animals in need!
  
• Help transport pets that need to be relocated to shelters and rescues.
• Donate some office supplies, like printers, paper, old computers, phones and more to help keep them running more easily, inexpensively and smoothly.
• Sponsor an animal in need at a shelter and alleviate some of the expenses of spay/neuter and vaccinations.
• Are you good with people? Volunteer at your shelter to help run events, put out newsletters, fund raise, and help them get the word out about the animals in need.
• Or contact your local shelter/rescue and ask how you can help.

And Happy National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week!